Perfect Mashed Potatoes…just in time for Thanksgiving!

TODAY is the last day to enter the Calphalon Giveaway! I’m giving away a 3-in-1 immersion blender plus one of their new non-stick bronze-edition 3-qt. pans! Gorgeous. So, don’t miss out on this opportunity! Enter HERE.

Now, today also marks the last day of the Thanksgiving posts. Sad day. BUT, no need to be sad for much longer because next week means dessert…and salad. {You’ll know what I’m talking about if you saw my Instagram photo. Also, if you don’t follow me on Instagram yet, hello? What are you waiting for? Find me @laurenslatest.}

So, lets talk potatoes, or les pommes de terre.

Oui oui!

J’aime les pommes de terre!

Where did that come from?

Side note: I speak a little bit of french. I was put into French Immersion in middle school and was required to take some classes in high school, but since moving to the states and not using it AT ALL, I’ve lost the majority of it. Yippity skippity.

WOW. Let’s get back on track, shall we?

So, potatoes.

They are tasty little devils. Delicious on their own and delightful with gravy. Simple to make when you have the right techniques and right add-ins. I use butter, milk and cream cheese. Yes, cream cheese is my secret. Ever tried mashed potatoes with it? Well, let me tell you, it’s in the life changing category. I’ve never had potatoes quite as creamy and/or tangy. Buttermilk in potatoes is a little too tangy for me and cream and butter together is a little too creamy, especially if you’re going to drown them in gravy. These are the ultimate potatoes, perfect for that gravy slathering with just the right balance of tang and creaminess.

So, lets make some taters!

First, you’ll need some potatoes, salt, pepper, butter, milk and cream cheese. Easy peasy. Peel your potatoes…a great job for those kiddos. Chop them up into even pieces and toss them into a nice big pot. {I used the Calphalon Contemporary Bronze Edition Nonstick Stock Pot.} Top with cold water and some salt. Add a cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook until the potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and place back into the pot. Toss in the butter, cream cheese, milk, salt and pepper and give it a smash. I used this potato masher. I like small lumps in my potatoes, so only a minute or two of mashing will do the job. Spoon these into a bowl and serve them up with tasty gravy. Here’s the recap of Thanksgiving Dinner recipes I did that you’re totally gonna want to check out:

Directions:
Peel potatoes and rinse them. Cut into even sized pieces and place into a large pot. Cover with water and add a dash of salt. Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer. Cook until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Drain completely and place potatoes back into the hot pot. Mash potatoes with butter, cream cheese, milk, salt and pepper until desired consistency has been reached. Serve warm with gravy.

Looks delicious! I made your cornbread stuffing just last week and it was a hit…can’t wait to try this recipe, too! I’ve never considered putting cream cheese into mashed potatoes, but it totally makes sense :). I’m not usually a fan of potatoes (I’ll eat them, but not often) but these I’ll have to try!

I received your e-mail about the giveaway and responded but I have been having problems with my e-mail. I can only open it intermittently and then I am not able to respond at this point in time. Just checking to see it you received the response on Saturday. Thank you!

I’ve used cream cheese in my mashed potatoes for YEARS! It was my grandmother’s recipe. Love the taste and how super creamy it gets without feeling grainy. My husband won’t eat anyone elses. At least I know I’m not the only one anymore!

I’ve done this for the past several years. Works great, especially if you make them ahead of time. Usually reheated mashed potatoes are super gross, but with the cream cheese they taste like they were just made! I make mine the night before, stick them in a crock pot and reheat them for dinner. It definitely is one less thing to worry about keeping an eye on, and makes hostessing that much more enjoyable!